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Cross-Laminated Timber and Charred Shingles Enhance Urban Living Experience

Author:
Chee Hon Kong
Cross-Laminated Timber and Charred Shingles Enhance Urban Living Experience

Project in-detail

Combining cross-laminated timber with charred wooden shingles, the design creates a sustainable urban dwelling that harmonizes contemporary aesthetics with community-focused living spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cross-laminated timber panels provide structural support while enhancing thermal performance.
02
Charred wooden shingles create a weather-resistant exterior with a distinct aesthetic.
03
The bent A-frame design optimizes natural light penetration throughout the dwelling.
04
Vertical gardens strategically placed enhance air quality and promote biodiversity.
05
Modular construction techniques reduce waste and expedite the building process.

Located in a dynamic urban environment, the design occupies a prominent site that engages with both the natural landscape and surrounding urban fabric. The project aims to enhance community interaction while addressing functional requirements and aesthetic considerations. By creating spaces that foster social engagement, the design integrates seamlessly into its context and responds effectively to local needs.

**Spatial Strategy**
The organization of spaces within the structure is designed to promote connectivity and flow. Public areas are strategically positioned to facilitate gatherings and events, while private spaces are arranged for privacy and comfort. This careful planning optimizes movement patterns, allowing users to navigate the building with ease, while also encouraging spontaneous collaboration and interaction among occupants.

**Materiality and Sustainability**
A commitment to sustainability is evident in the selection of materials and construction methods employed throughout the project. Locally sourced materials have been utilized to minimize environmental impact while enhancing the building’s integration into the regional aesthetic. The incorporation of green technologies, such as energy-efficient systems and sustainable landscaping, contributes to a reduced carbon footprint and demonstrates a proactive approach to environmental stewardship.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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